Kansas Files Complaint Against Westar Energy

The Kansas Corporation Commission filed the complaint Wednesday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission against the state's largest electric utility.

The agency is objecting to what it called Westar's unreasonably high return on equity in a formula that sets rates. But Westar contends the KCC's action could cause Kansas to underinvest in critical high-voltage transmission infrastructure.

Westar President Mark Ruelle says in a news release that the company and the KCC "just have to agree to disagree." He says Westar trusts the federal agency's process for reviewing its concerns.

KCC says that Westar's rates could be cut $15.8 million annually if the state prevails.